The Minister for Health has said it is “highly unlikely” that COVID-19 restrictions will be relaxed after this weekend.

The lockdown was originally due to come to an end this Easter Sunday; however, it is widely expected to be extended.

The National Public Health Emergency Team has yet to make a formal recommendation on the matter.

The team is meeting today but will not make a final call until Friday.

Health Minister Simon Harris said the restrictions are working and must remain in place for now.

“We will get the formal advice later in the week but I believe in being truthful and honest with people in this regard,” he said.

“I think any kind of departure from the existing restrictions is highly unlikely – particularly when we know they are working.

“We are not going to do anything as a Government that will in any way jeopardise the lives of Irish people.

“We have got to stay the course.”

Chief Medical Officer for the Department of Health Dr Tony Holohan during the launch of a public information booklet on coronavirus at Government Buildings in Dublin.

Meanwhile the chief medical officer has said the public should not be surprised if the restrictions are extended this week.

Dr Tony Holohan was speaking as the death toll from the virus rose to 174 with 16 more deaths confirmed last night.

There are now over 5,300 confirmed cases here.

The National Public Health Emergency Team will this morning discuss whether to extend the public restrictions past Easter Sunday.

Chief medical officer Tony Holohan said a formal recommendation won't be made until Friday – but people will have a clearer picture of what is happening before then.

“Over the course of this week, I will be as honest and open as I can be with you,” he said.

“It won’t be that we reveal everything in one go on Friday. As the week goes on and our impression of where we are is increasing either in one direction or another, I am going to share that sense with you so that where we arrive at formally on Friday won’t be a surprise to you.”

Meanwhile, Government ministers will be briefed on the latest developments at a meeting of Cabinet later today.

The meeting comes as an unprecedented number of people avail of social welfare.

700,000 are now receiving supports after the number accessing the special Covid-19 unemployment payment jumped to more than half a million.

Around the world, almost 75,000 people have now died from Covid-19 while the number of cases has passed 1.3 million.

Countries such as Spain and Italy appear to be seeing a slowdown in the growth of new cases.

However the likes of Turkey, Mexico and Japan have recorded spikes, with the latter set to declare a state of emergency.

Meanwhile the death toll in the US has passed 10,000, with New York set to bury coronavirus victims in a park, as morgues reach capacity.

Chair of the city council's health committee, Mark Levine, says it'll be done in a “dignified, orderly and temporary manner.”